A controversial plan banning dogs from Mersea beaches is due to be discussed by town councillors tomorrow.

The Colchester Council bylaws include, alongside a summertime ban on dogs, no begging and no fires on the seashore.

But mayor Sylvia Wargent said: "I have had a lot of response from dog-owners who, as I expected, are not happy about this."

She said enforcement problems could arise from the fact that a public footpath ran alongside the beach. And the presence of dog-walkers helped in the fight against beach hut vandalism.

The bylaws review, currently out for consultation, came about as a result of a study on bait digging by the beach working party, representing ward and town councillors and groups using the beach.

Homes north of Firs Chase look set to remain outside West Mersea's conservation area, despite a request from Mersea Island Society.

Colchester councillors were due to consider an officer recommendation last night leaving the boundary as it is.

They heard the areas east of City Road and north of Firs Road, including The Lane, had insufficient special character to justify designation.

Preservation orders, however, have been placed on 98 trees in the vicinity.

Mersea Island Youth Centre is set to be a hive of activity on Sunday.

Up to 20 members of staff from the Asda supermarket in Colchester are spending the day on a millennium makeover of the television and art room.

Events co-ordinator Lee Vickerage is appealing to local firms for paint, brushes, wood and fabric to help create a millennium concert theme. A donated television or video recorder would also be welcome.

If you can help, contact Lee on 01206 543159.

Pyefleet Channel should be buzzing with jet skiers again this summer.

West Mersea Jet Ski Club, which has used the waterway for the past decade, has asked Colchester Council for another three years' permission.

Officers have recommended approval up to September 1, 2002, subject to conditions.

Councillors, due to discuss the application last night, heard the skiers kept well away from other people using the channel, and there had been no significant complaints.

There is still time to enter the competition to choose Mersea's millennium queen and princesses.

The selection, to be held at a Valentine's dance next month, is aimed at seven to 11-year-olds as would-be princesses and 12 to 19-year-olds for the senior role.

Winners will receive special prizes and have pride of place at the island's 'Mersea through the Ages' celebrations on bank holiday Monday, May 29.

Entry forms are available from the town council offices in Melrose Road.

Work has started on a new basketball court at the Glebe recreation ground in West Mersea. The local town council is paying for the new sports facility, which should be ready in a fortnight.

Mersea police are appealing for help in their investigation into a house burglary in East Mersea Road.

Two CD players, two cameras, a Sony PlayStation, £320 and jewellery were stolen.

PC Nigel Donkin said anyone with information can contact the police on 01206 382930.

Thieves armed with a jemmy broke into a car left for just 20 minutes at Cudmore Grove Country Park, East Mersea.

A rear door of the vehicle was jemmied open, causing £100 damage, and a handbag with £70 stolen.

PC Nigel Donkin, of West Mersea police, said car break-ins were becoming something of a regular occurrence in the Bromans Lane area. He urged motorists to lock their cars and not to leave valuables on view.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.